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CONFLICTS CONTINUED IN GALALA AND HATIVE KECIL
Eventhough recent uproars in several locations in Ambon island, such as in the center of Ambon city, Poka village and Rumahtiga
village, are cooling down, \\\"a war\\\" is still taking place in Galala and Hative Kecil villages (around 3 km from the city
centre). Yesterday (Thursday, 12 August 1999) afternoon, Christians living in Galala and Hative Kecil succesfully forced Moslem attackers to
retreat from the villages, however in Friday night up to the writing of this report, the Moslems are holding back certain locations, like
in Aster sector of Galala village and Kepala Air sector of Hative Kecil village.
Our field investigators report that almost a full day of Saturday, 14 August 1999, the blast of hand-made bombs and sound of shooting
from hand -made weapons as well as standard rifles of the Indonesian soldiers and certain groups, are continously heard from the conflicting
areas.
Hundreds of houses were burned down. Indeed, a latest report said that a small church
(Imanuel) in Aster sector has been burned down by the Moslem attackers at 14:00 local time (eastern Indonesian time).
Two people reportedly died in the latest incidence, i.e. MRS. PENINA TETELEPTA shot in the head and THOMAS TOMARIAN due to an
heart attack (shock). People in the areas said that some victims shot to death may be still in the conflicting locations and cannot be
evacuated.
People from Galala and Hative Kecil interviewed by our investigating team said that they do not understand why the security forces are
still backing up the Moslem attackers to burn down houses which belong to the Christians and shooting at the Christians who are defending
themselves from attack from the outsiders.
People cannot trust the Indonesian military to resolve the Ambon conflict since they are supporting a certain religious group,
eventhough the soldiers supposedly abide to their functions as security forces.
Up to now, the number of dead and wounded people have risen to 600, 90% of which are shot by the Indonesian military units.
It seems that the conflict becomes difficult to contained and resolved due to a deep hatred among the people and the inconsistent attitude
of the Indonesian military forces.
Therefore, we plea for an international police force to take over the security responsibility in Maluku province. If necessary,
the United Nations must send an independent security force to stop the civilian conflicts in Maluku as well as the violent behaviour of
and human right abuses by the Indonesian military force.
The Sala Waku Foundation, Maluku
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